Michael Laudrup 'turns down Real Madrid'

Former Real Madrid midfielder Michael Laudrup has reportedly turned down the chance to succeed Julen Lopetegui as the club's manager.

Lopetegui was sacked by the European champions on Monday after just 14 games of his reign, having overseen the club's worst start to a season for 17 years.

Los Blancos currently sit ninth in the Liga table, with Sunday's 5-1 defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Barcelona in the first Clasico of the season proving to be the final straw for the board.

The likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho have all been linked with the vacant post, but AS reports that Laudrup has also been approached.

The former Denmark international, who joined Madrid from Barcelona in 1994, is currently out of work having left Qatari outfit Al-Rayyan earlier this year.

Laudrup, 54, previously managed Swansea City but is reportedly hesitant to take over at the Bernabeu due to concerns over the current state of the club.